Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the deaths and subsequent recovery of two gold miners in Nevada:

"As the hours passed at Barrick Goldstrike's Meikle Mine in Elko County, Nev., we all hoped and prayed for better news. My thoughts are with the families, friends, loved ones, neighbors and co-workers of Joel Ethan Schorr and Daniel Noel, who lost their lives while simply trying to do their job and provide for their families.

"I want to commend and thank the members of the rescue teams, local first responders, company officials and the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration district staff and family liaisons who worked around the clock during this incident. We will investigate this tragedy and take action. All mine deaths are preventable."